| Title | Shell Boring Polychaetes and the Oregon Oyster Aquaculture Industry: Spatial Distribution, Regulatory Actions, and Stakeholder Engagement |
| Publication Type | Thesis |
| Year of Publication | 2021 |
| Authors | Considine, Megan E. |
| Academic Department | College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. Marine Resource Management Program |
| Degree | M.S. |
| Pagination | 63 p. |
| Date Published | 2021 |
| University | Oregon State University |
| City | Corvallis, Or. |
| Type of Work | Masters Thesis |
| Call Number | OSU Libraries: Digital Open Access |
| Keywords | Annelid worms, aquaculture, aquatic invertebrates, bivalves, Coos Bay, invasive species, mollusks, Mud blister worm = Polydora spp., Netarts Bay, oysters, Pacific oyster = Crassostrea gigas, Polychaetes, Tillamook Bay, Yaquina Bay |
| Notes | In 2020, an infestation of invasive shell-boring polychaete worms (mud-blister worms) was discovered in Puget Sound, providing the impetus for this study. While the boring done by the worms does not damage the quality of the oyster, it does affect its aesthetic appeal, and to some extent lowers productivity. In this Master’s thesis, the author endeavors to ascertain the distribution of mud blister worms in Oregon commercial oyster farms. The author also hoped to understand whether culture methods, seasonal changes and “oyster shell metrics” affect the prevalence of the worms. Finally, the author attempted to show if their findings and outreach could improve the management of oyster farms and resource management decisions. (p.10) Netarts Bay was found to be the most affected by the infestation. |
| URL | https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/nz806657t |
